Page 31 - Bonhams UK Marsh Collection Art for the Literati November 2, 2022

Lot 9 Lot 10 Lot 13 Lot 16 Lot 18

The improvement of the refinery process of In Lot 2 a rare and large ‘ladies and boys’ wucai
cobalt benefited the overall output of porcelain dish, Shunzhi, and Lot 9 a large blue and white and
fromJingdezhen including export pieces. Lot 33, a very copper-red ‘virtuous aunt’ dish, early Kangxi, the ladies
fine blue and white tankard, Chongzhen, and Lot 32 are painted with plump and profound brushwork,
a blue and white pear-shaped ewer with Dutch silver the unique style of which is a clearly influenced by
mounts, Chongzhen, are both typically commissioned a contemporaneous artist Chen Hongshou. This is
pieces for the European market. The decorations another example of the impact of literati paintings on
however are of Chinese themes, with some European ceramics during that time.
elements such as the borders with tulips. The blue
pigment is so vibrant in these export wares that the Lot 24 a rare blue and white ‘Romance of the Western
European nobles compared it to ‘violets in milk’. These Chamber’ square vase, Kangxi, is a fine product of Lot 19
two pieces were both commissioned by the Dutch East the folk kilns fromthe mid Kangxi period. It depicts on
India Company (VOC). its four sides popular episodes from the 13th century
drama, blurring the boundary between a lofty scholar’s
Lot 16 a rare blue and white ‘master of the rocks’ studio and thevernacular. Lot 18 a rare blue and white
jar, Shunzhi/ early Kangxi, perfectly exemplifies the and copper-red peach-shaped dish, Kangxi, is an
influence of literati paintings during the late Ming excellent unification of painting, calligraphy, and poetry
dynasty on the decoration of ceramics. The hemp-fibre in ceramics.
strokes seen on this lot: a series of thin and parallel
contours used to create the depth and texture of the Lastly, Lot 3 rare documentary blue and white ‘Kui
rockwork, creates a distinctive landscape which is Xing’ vessel, dated to 1654, presents us again with an
one of the most important developments in ceramic energetic and comic God of Literatureand reminding us
decoration of the early Kangxi period, providing crucial once more that we cannot overlook the important role
dating basis for ceramics of this kind. the literati during the late Ming and early Qing dynasty
in the development of ceramics in Jingdezhen. The
The development of wucai enamels during the Shunzhi innovative forms of the vessels created to cater to this Lot 20
period, inspired by the method of coloured block class of patrons, the high quality of cobalt produced
printing with bold and contrasting colours, makes it during the time, the expressive and vivid painting,
the most important polychrome decoration during the and the elegant and creative calligraphy are all united
late Ming and early Qing dynasty. Lot 23 a wucai ‘rise together in the manufacturing of the ceramics. The
in official rank’ jar and cover, Shunzhi, is decorated plethora of scholar’s objects we see today bears great
around its body a continuous scene of a dignitary witness to the splendor of a great era in the late Ming
surrounded by a large team of court retinue and and early Qing dynasties, and we sigh in awe every
guardsmen with vibrant and vivid enamel. It showcases time we look back.
the wonderful craftmanship and artistic achievements
in wucai decoration during the period.

Lot 21

Lot 28 Lot 24 Lot 23 Lot 22